'Last Film Show' about reconnecting to my roots: Director Nalin
Director Pan Nalin says his Gujarati film Chhello Show (Last Film Show), which will open the Tribeca Film Festival's Spotlight section in June, is about the magic of cinema and hope told through the eyes of a young village boy. The movie gave the director, best known for his films Samsara and Angry Indian Goddesses, a chance to reconnect to his roots in Gujarat.
The film explores the countryside and its people: Nalin
"I wanted to tell a story about kids who grow up in the countryside and how they start innovating to create their own kind of cinema, storytelling. Nothing stops these kids," Nalin said. "When you have nothing, nothing should stop you. It is a story of inspiration, hope, valuing family, friends, cinema, storytellers, innocence, and innovation," he added.
The film, set in Gujarat, stars six young boys
The film revolves around a nine-year-old boy in a remote village in India, who begins a lifelong love affair with cinema when he bribes his way into a rundown movie palace and spends a summer watching movies from the projection booth. Set in a remote rural village of Saurashtra, it stars six young boys from indigenous tribe communities of Gujarat.
India's single screen culture forms the backdrop of the film
The disappearance of India's single-screen culture and 35mm celluloid film largely forms the backdrop of the Last Film Show. To find a Bollywood movie print and a technician who could run a projector was tough. We found it in Karnataka, Nasik, and one or two other places. One film print is of 50-60 kg while today it is of 200 gm, Nalin said.
Director plans on showcasing the film in villages of Gujarat
Currently, Nalin is giving the finishing touches to the film, which will be ready by the first week of May. As the Last Film Show gears up for the world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, the director is equally looking forward to releasing it back home in India. He says even if theatres don't open he might show the film on a projector.
